Mitsubishi Evolution X Images Leave Fans Wanting More

The car will make its official debut next month at the Tokyo Motor Show, but photos of various, barely camouflaged test mules and pre-production models have been floating around the nets for months now, and we saw the Concept X from which the new Evo is derived at the 2005 Tokyo show. So if our faces express less than shock and surprise at the photos posted at Autotrader UK, well, that's just the way it has to be.

Not that we don't like the new Evo's menacing snarl and hunkered down stance. The thing looks like an Evo, for what it's worth. Will it drive like one is the real question here. The previous nine generations of Lancer Evolution provided the very definition of traffic scalpel. Sharp, sharp, and sharp are three words that best described the cars. This new one carries on the fine tradition of a two liter, 300 hp-ish four banger turbocharged to within an inch of its life, all-wheel drive and more techno wizardry than what sent us to the moon. We're not sure if "optional five speed manual" are words we're especially enthusiastic about, with a six speed flappy paddle manu-matic subbing for the tried and true enthusiast preferred transmission in the standard equipment category, but at least it's available (Nissan, we're looking straight you and the new GT-R when we say this). Once again, 0-60 should clock in around five seconds with a top speed of 160 or so. Prices will likely be around the current Evo MR edition in the mid $30k range.

Since arriving on American shores, the Evo's nemesis Subaru Impreza WRX STi has somehow trumped it for the hearts and minds of those with the cash to blow on a noisy, harsh, tarted up Japanese econobox (that's not to say we don't love these cars), regardless of the Evo's dominance in practically every comparison test hurled at it. With the new Subie taking a decidedly less adventurous approach to styling... okay, it looks like a Mazda3 and Kio Rio had a baby... maybe soon the Evolution will get its just rewards in the form of sales. And respect. We'll find out next year.